HL Deb 06 March 1979 vol 399 cc7-8

2.56 p.m.

Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they propose to take to expedite the completion of the Woolwich flood barrier.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the Government have recently given their support to measures designed specifically to bring forward effective completion of this important project to December 1982. They have also, jointly with the Greater London Council, appointed an advisory team to consider how progress can be further improved.

Lord BRUCE of DONINGTON

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that, although the final legal responsibility for the scheme lies with the GLC, the ultimate responsibility for the safety of the capital city undoubtedly lies with Her Majesty's Government? Is he aware that it needs only a series of freak weather conditions in the North Sea combined with tides at certain times of the year to produce flooding conditions in London? Is he aware, for example, that a rise in tide of some nine inches over the existing banks would cascade 30,000 billion cubic feet of water on to London and would possibly cause £2,500 million worth of damage, with a possible loss of life? With those circumstances in mind, will he ask his right honourable friend whether the Government will take complete responsibility for the speeding up of this whole scheme?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, the improvements to flood defences on the Thames carried out in 1971–72 significantly reduced the flood risk in Central London, but I agree with much of what my noble friend has said and the long-term solution lies in the completion of the Thames barrier and associated defences.

Viscount ST. DAVIDS

My Lords, is there any way it is possible to over-emphasise the extreme importance of this flood barrier, without which, I am afraid, we shall all of us here be a washout instead of just Her Majesty's Government?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I do not think it is possible to over-emphasise the importance of this barrier, and, in this connection, but not in anything else, I agree with the noble Viscount. My right honourable friend Mr. Silkin, whose own constituency of Deptford is in a flood danger area, has visited the site and he has had frequent consultations with the GLC, and the advisory team, which he has appointed and to which I referred in my original Answer, is starting work this week. The team and its terms of reference have been agreed with the contractor and the unions.